The Mission
The Captain of the S.S. sits quietly, emotionless in his chair, eyes staring blankly into the darkness and holding a folder, almost as if he were a statue. The folder is a faded yellowish in colour with a a red tape sealing it with the words "Top Secrets" marked on it. The heading, "Code Name: Emperors".
His wife & baby son is already asleep at home and he has already been on this chair for so long that he is numb from the waist down. He knows the importance of tomorrow's mission as two years ago, it was him who lead his squad of battle hardened men to one of the most famous victory in the long & distinguished histories of the S.S. and earned his squad the name "The Bad Ones". Only a few have ever earned this honour.
But he knows tomorrow is a different story. His trusted lieutenant who famously lead the charge and set the pace for the team is lying in a bed, injured. The team, after last week's mission which was a total failure to say the least has him reconsidering his recent promotion.
Ever since he was promoted to Captain, his squad has been leaderless and aimless. They are every bit as good as they were if not better, yet they could not muster a successful mission. Although he loved his desk job and his Officer's Club of hundreds, his heart is with his men. He can no longer bear the thoughts of another defeat, another dishonour. Worse, he cannot stand the soulless blank looks of his men in the debriefing after every failed mission.
He knows his wife would want him behind a desk, he knows he has an infant son and every look at him makes him mellow. But he cannot stand the empty looks, the held back tears and the shakes from his men anymore. His eyes now glows with determination, he is ready to brief his men with the added extra of his decision. His legs struggled to carry him from the contusion but with a new found will, he limped to the briefing room, ready for a new beginning.
The team has been waiting for him for hours, not knowing the inner struggles their Captain has been through was growing restless. They stood to attention when he enters and was told to be at ease. They quickly noticed that today was different, today is not going to be the same. Today, their beloved Captain is back not as their officer, but as their brother in arms.
"Men, take a good look at your mission profiles. Don't be misled. The terrain is flat. On your last mission the elevation is 623m, tomorrow, it's not more than 280m. The real danger is near the end where you will have to attack a heavily guard hill post. It's short, but it's steep and the enemies will be waiting. We take down the post we secure the grounds we lost from last week. No need for me to tell you how important this mission is."
The Captan steadied himself and then continued.
"You all know that Blade won't be with us tomorrow. But I will."
He signals with his hands to quiet the room as the eyes of his men glittered with the news and you can feel the excitements about to burst. He knows they have questions, but this is not the time.
"Boys, the guards at the Emperor's Palace are some of the best there is. Not much in numbers but are veterans. Use your disguises well, don't do anything to spoil your cover early. Wait for the right time. Everyone, synchronize your watches now. At exactly 2h40m is when we strike. Dog, I want you to lead Austrian, Swazi & Bush as diversions. Blondie & I will cover the rear. Don't forget Taliban is undercover. Goat, you lead the charge, show no mercy and spare no one. You slaughter anyone who crosses your path and you take down that hill post. Hog & Whale will cover you."
His blood is now boiling, his adrenaline is pumping. he hasn't felt this pumped ever since his promotion and he feels it too from his men. He paused and stares into each and everyone of their eyes and he can read it.
The Captain is back.
His wife & baby son is already asleep at home and he has already been on this chair for so long that he is numb from the waist down. He knows the importance of tomorrow's mission as two years ago, it was him who lead his squad of battle hardened men to one of the most famous victory in the long & distinguished histories of the S.S. and earned his squad the name "The Bad Ones". Only a few have ever earned this honour.
But he knows tomorrow is a different story. His trusted lieutenant who famously lead the charge and set the pace for the team is lying in a bed, injured. The team, after last week's mission which was a total failure to say the least has him reconsidering his recent promotion.
Ever since he was promoted to Captain, his squad has been leaderless and aimless. They are every bit as good as they were if not better, yet they could not muster a successful mission. Although he loved his desk job and his Officer's Club of hundreds, his heart is with his men. He can no longer bear the thoughts of another defeat, another dishonour. Worse, he cannot stand the soulless blank looks of his men in the debriefing after every failed mission.
He knows his wife would want him behind a desk, he knows he has an infant son and every look at him makes him mellow. But he cannot stand the empty looks, the held back tears and the shakes from his men anymore. His eyes now glows with determination, he is ready to brief his men with the added extra of his decision. His legs struggled to carry him from the contusion but with a new found will, he limped to the briefing room, ready for a new beginning.
The team has been waiting for him for hours, not knowing the inner struggles their Captain has been through was growing restless. They stood to attention when he enters and was told to be at ease. They quickly noticed that today was different, today is not going to be the same. Today, their beloved Captain is back not as their officer, but as their brother in arms.
"Men, take a good look at your mission profiles. Don't be misled. The terrain is flat. On your last mission the elevation is 623m, tomorrow, it's not more than 280m. The real danger is near the end where you will have to attack a heavily guard hill post. It's short, but it's steep and the enemies will be waiting. We take down the post we secure the grounds we lost from last week. No need for me to tell you how important this mission is."
The Captan steadied himself and then continued.
"You all know that Blade won't be with us tomorrow. But I will."
He signals with his hands to quiet the room as the eyes of his men glittered with the news and you can feel the excitements about to burst. He knows they have questions, but this is not the time.
"Boys, the guards at the Emperor's Palace are some of the best there is. Not much in numbers but are veterans. Use your disguises well, don't do anything to spoil your cover early. Wait for the right time. Everyone, synchronize your watches now. At exactly 2h40m is when we strike. Dog, I want you to lead Austrian, Swazi & Bush as diversions. Blondie & I will cover the rear. Don't forget Taliban is undercover. Goat, you lead the charge, show no mercy and spare no one. You slaughter anyone who crosses your path and you take down that hill post. Hog & Whale will cover you."
His blood is now boiling, his adrenaline is pumping. he hasn't felt this pumped ever since his promotion and he feels it too from his men. He paused and stares into each and everyone of their eyes and he can read it.
The Captain is back.
- - - - -
Footnotes:-
- S.S. means short & sweet, it's how we roll (or ride). The writer is basically describing a drunken Crap, with a "Label" in his hands and trying to make a decision "Should I ride or should I drink some more".
- There will be a BOtall birthday celebration breakie ride tomorrow morning. We meet at Muggs at 06h00.
- Crap will lead BOlani, BOic, BObbie, BOpa, Whale, Katy, BOpa, BOrabia & BOpunda on Sunday. Bladder is sick.
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